Arnold Schwarzenegger speaks to Hafthor Julius Bjornsson of Iceland after he won the Arnold Classic Professional Strongman competition during the 2016 Arnold Classic on March 19, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo : Getty Images/Quinn Rooney)
Arnold Schwarzenegger confirmed on March 3, Friday, that he is leaving "The New Celebrity Apprentice" after one season. He did not directly mention President Donald Trump but it appears that the former host of the NBC reality show has something to do with it.
In a statement released to CNN, Schwarzenegger said he loved every second of working with NBC and "The New Celebrity Apprentice" executive producer Mark Burnett. The former California governor explained, "Everyone, from the celebrities to the crew to the marketing department, was a straight 10, and I would absolutely work with all of them again on a show that doesn't have this baggage."
Trump previously criticized the former California governor over the low ratings of the NBC reality show. The former responded to the president by suggesting that they should switch jobs.
NBC has yet to comment of Schwarzenegger's decision. Neither has the TV network confirmed that "The New Celebrity Apprentice" will have another season in 2018.
"American Ninja Warrior" host Matt Iseman won "The New Celebrity Apprentice," which aired on NBC from Jan. 2 to Feb. 13. The comedian defeated
Among Schwarzenegger's advisors in the rebranded "Celebrity Apprentice" were his nephew Patrick M. Knapp Schwarzenegger, Warren Buffet, Steve Balmer, former "Celebrity Apprentice" winner Leeza Gibbons, "America's Next Top Model" creator Tyra Banks and Jessica Alba. Before appearing in the NBC reality show, Alba starred in "Mechanic: Resurrection" opposite Jason Statham.
While the former California governor is leaving "The New Celebrity Apprentice," he is reprising his role as Trench in "The Expendables 4." There are still no details about the fourth installment of the film franchise except that it will be released in 2018 and Arnold is reuniting with Statham and Sylvester Stallone, who are reprising their respective roles as Lee Christmas and Barney Ross.
Currently, Statham is filming "Meg" with Ruby Rose, Bingbing Li, Masi Oka, Winston Chao, Tim Wong, Tawanda Manyimo, Yoson An, Jeremy Tan, Leand Macadaan, Christian Hipolito and Page Kennedy. The action sci-fi film being directed by Jon Turtletaub was originally scheduled to be released on March 2, 2018 but it will be moved to Aug. 10, 2018, Variety has learned.
Watch a video of Arnold's blueprint training program here:
